I'm a long term lurker, but I've had my M2 since February. I've been enjoying the car since getting the RIS done, but now that there's a few more miles on the clock I had the urge to seek out a bit more power.

I haven't gone for anything silly, or irreversible, but after a bit of research on the options, I settled for a Bootmod3 flash. I liked the idea of being able to return to stock at any point and the ability to do this myself without removing the DME, or adding to the DME flash counter sealed the deal.

The process of flashing the DME could not be simpler, the BM3 software is by far the best I've seen. The dash and iDrive system goes a bit crazy with errors and warnings during the update, which was expected having read up and watched every YouTube video on the subject, but the update process takes care of everything before it completes. The first flash takes around 5 mins due to unlocking the DME before flashing the update, subsequent flashes take less than 1 min. The fact that BM3 is cloud based means updates can be pushed without going through any process and the ability to flash offline is brilliant using a Mac, PC, Android or iPhone. The phone options require either a PC or Mac to be connected via a ESYS cable, or there is a £230'ish optional box that can do away with the need for a laptop.

As I have no bolt on mods (yet) other than the MPE I went for the Stage 1 98 RON map, as recommended. The difference is night and day I love it!

I also did the GTS DCT flash (which is free) and very different from the stock DCT software. The jury is still out as to whether it will remain, but it's easy enough to flash back to stock if I decide against it.

In summary, for the cost of a BM3 licence approximately £430 and a £12 ESYS cable it's one of the best upgrades I've done to any car.

Apologies if I'm preaching to the converted, but I didn't see many posts for BM3 when I used the search function

I tend to agree, if BMW REALLY feel the need to look they will find something, but I'm relying on the usual level of incompetence from the local dealership, who on a good day can just about figure out how to open the bonnet!

They have maps available for other regions that have to suffer 3rd world fuel, such as some states in the US. Hence, the 98 RON Stage 1 map was the appropriate choice for my car. The map goes some way to making use of what BMW left on the table when balancing the performance versus warranty issue...or more likely, to avoid stepping on the toes of the other models available at the time, or still to come.

JB4 is a piggyback which stacks on top on the ecu (dme) so basically a Tuning box. Bootmod3 is a proper ecu flash tune and tuning platform which far more superior and advanced, it can also customised / tuned to suit your car and needs